Apartment Fire in Lafayette Sparked by Candle

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Firefighters in Lafayette, Louisiana responded to a fire in an apartment on Rue Royal on Tuesday afternoon. Officials say the blaze was sparked by a candle on a windowsill that ignited nearby materials. While no one was injured, the fire caused significant damage to the apartment building, leading to 9 residents being displaced from their homes.

Why it matters

Candle-related fires are a common cause of residential fires, often leading to property damage and displacement of residents. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety practices when using candles, as well as the need for continued public education on preventing such accidents.

The details

According to Lafayette Fire Department Spokesman Alton Trahan, multiple 911 calls were received about the building being on fire. Firefighters arrived and began fighting the blaze, while others went to check on a report of a disabled person potentially being inside. Fortunately, a neighbor had already helped the immobilized woman to safety before firefighters arrived. The fire was determined to have started from a candle left burning on a windowsill in an upstairs bedroom, which ignited nearby materials and quickly spread to the attic and throughout the roof of the four-unit apartment building.

• The fire was reported around 2:30 pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
• On April 8, 2026, a previous fire in a Lafayette apartment, also believed to have started from a candle, led to 5 people being displaced.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Lafayette Fire Department is reminding residents to never leave candles unattended and to ensure candles are placed on non-combustible surfaces to prevent similar fires in the future.